The current coach of Russia, Guus Hiddink, has been sounded out by Chelsea who want him to take over until the end of the current season.

Following the shock dismissal of Luiz Felipe Scolari, Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has approached Hiddink with a view to the Dutchman taking charge from this weekend when Chelsea meet Watford in the FA Cup.

The Football Union of Russia has given their blessing to the move and Hiddink said:

If it was any other club my answer would be a straight ‘no’.

But Chelsea is different because I have good relations with the owner. I would like to help them if I could.

This would only be for the next two or three months until the end of the season.

I will not leave my job with the Russian national team. It’s out of the question. When I took the Russia job it was a long-term project and I don’t like to leave it unfinished.

A statement on the Chelsea web site read:

We have officially approached the FUR for permission to speak to Guus Hiddink to become the club’s temporary coach until the end of the season while continuing to be in charge of the Russian national team.